Mitogen activated protein kinases blockade improves lipopolysaccharide-induced ileal motor disturbances.

BACKGROUND several diseases such as sepsis can affect the ileum. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an endotoxin present in the cell wall of gram negative bacteria, is a causative agent of sepsis. OBJECTIVES the aims of this study were: a) to investigate the role of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the effect of LPS on the acetylcholine-induced contractions of rabbit ileum; and b) to study the localization of MAPKs in the ileum. MATERIAL AND METHODS ileal contractility was studied in an organ bath and MAPKs were localized by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS acetylcholine-induced contractions decreased with LPS. SB203580, SP600125 and U0126 blocked the effect of LPS on the acetylcholine-induced contractions. Phosphorylated p38 and ERK were detected in neurons of myenteric plexus and Phosphorylated p38 and JNK in smooth muscle cells of ileum. CONCLUSION we can suggest that p38, JNK, and ERK MAPKs are involved in the mechanism of action of LPS in the ileum.